the kid hasn't played an nhl game yet and you're already calling the pick a waste?

the second he was drafted, the rangers said he'd be a 4 year project. he's right on pace with where they thought he would be at this point in time and i'm not ready to write him off until he gets his shot.
- rangerdanger94

It may be the case that he is a 4 year project, and it may be the case that he still can become a solid NHLer, but put me down as one not supporting the drafting of 4 year projects with the 10th overall pick. It's a big year for McIlrath. He needs to make real progress towards becoming a regular NHL defensemen, either for the Rangers or someone else, in the real near future. I'm pulling for him.

It may be the case that he is a 4 year project, and it may be the case that he still can become a solid NHLer, but put me down as one not supporting the drafting of 4 year projects with the 10th overally pick. It's a big year for McIlrath. He needs to make real progress towards becoming a regular NHL defensemen, either for the Rangers or someone else, in the real near future. I'm pulling for him.
- Pete V

Remember, he only played half a season last year and it was his first pro season; and first with Beukeboom.

I hope so, too.

If he and Boyle can play every game like they do in the playoffs, then it will be a fun season. Their play can open things up for others.
- mames11

When Kreider connects with a hit, he absolutely levels people. Can't understand how some people actually call the kid soft. His whole issue is about positioning and that will come with icetime. Once he gets his sense out there with the speed of the game and the positioning, he will be a monster forechecker that dmen will fear.

Yup, I'm calling him a wasted TOP pick. He hasn't played a single NHL game for a reason. Like I said, if he was drafted 20-30 spots lower, I wouldn't call it a waste, I'd call it a project. Fact of the matter, if your drafted TENTH overall in the NHL draft, you shouldn't be a 4 year project and still even wondering if you have good enough basic skill sets to play in the NHL.

Just like Jessiman and even Lee Farladeau, there is a long list of players drafted after McIlrath that are far superior and ready to impact. Namely, Fowler, Gromley, Kuznetsov, Bjugstad, Tarasenko, Bennett, Etem.
- xcheckmajor

but gormley and kuznetsov haven't played nhl games yet either so they're wasted picks too by your logic.

it's not uncommon for a first round pick to take a while before getting to the nhl. in reality, only the 1st overall and maybe a couple other players ever make an impact right away after being drafted. you act like every top 10 pick in history makes the nhl within a year or 2.

nazem kadri was picked 7th overall, took 4 years before he made it to the NHL, and now every team in the show would embrace him with open arms on their team.

mcilrath is a defenseman, who everyone knows takes longer to develop, and is a physical monster. you can teach angles, and you can teach skating...but you can't teach size, stength, and big balls.

It may be the case that he is a 4 year project, and it may be the case that he still can become a solid NHLer, but put me down as one not supporting the drafting of 4 year projects with the 10th overally pick. It's a big year for McIlrath. He needs to make real progress towards becoming a regular NHL defensemen, either for the Rangers or someone else, in the real near future. I'm pulling for him.
- Pete V

it's getting to the point where it's make or break for him for sure, but let's wait until he laces them up. the rangers have great defensive depth so there is no need to rush him. he'd be in the show already if any other team drafted him, but the rangers are patient and have the depth to let him develop the best way for him. with mcdonagh, staal, girardi, MDZ, moore, stralman as the top 6 and guys like falk ready as a 7th dman, mcilrath can take his time and learn the game the right way.

speaking of mcilrath

http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=20227

CAN WE GET STEP SIGNED ALREADY!

Not sure if its been mentioned but Pietrangelo got 7 yr deal, 6.5m per

Not sure if its been mentioned but Pietrangelo got 7 yr deal, 6.5m per
- pcjr307

good deal but give me mcdonagh and his contract any day of the week.

but gormley and kuznetsov haven't played nhl games yet either so they're wasted picks too by your logic.

it's not uncommon for a first round pick to take a while before getting to the nhl. in reality, only the 1st overall and maybe a couple other players ever make an impact right away after being drafted. you act like every top 10 pick in history makes the nhl within a year or 2.

nazem kadri was picked 7th overall, took 4 years before he made it to the NHL, and now every team in the show would embrace him with open arms on their team.

mcilrath is a defenseman, who everyone knows takes longer to develop, and is a physical monster. you can teach angles, and you can teach skating...but you can't teach size, stength, and big balls.


it's getting to the point where it's make or break for him for sure, but let's wait until he laces them up. the rangers have great defensive depth so there is no need to rush him. he'd be in the show already if any other team drafted him, but the rangers are patient and have the depth to let him develop the best way for him. with mcdonagh, staal, girardi, MDZ, moore, stralman as the top 6 and guys like falk ready as a 7th dman, mcilrath can take his time and learn the game the right way.
- rangerdanger94

No the biggest difference is, every indication and scouting report says that McIlrath lacks basic skill sets. He's an average skater, has really no shot, doesn't have a great outlet pass. What DOES he have? He's tough, big, and can hit. Although there are kids that haven't played like Kuznetsov, Gormley, etc... they aren't as "bad" as he is in the other areas of the game. This is why I think he shouldn't have been a 10th overall pick.

Hockey Central ‏@SNHockeyCentral 10m
.@JSportsnet says he's hearing Derek Stepan on verge of accepting a bridge deal with Rangers.

No the biggest difference is, every indication and scouting report says that McIlrath lacks basic skill sets. He's an average skater, has really no shot, doesn't have a great outlet pass. What DOES he have? He's tough, big, and can hit. Although there are kids that haven't played like Kuznetsov, Gormley, etc... they aren't as "bad" as he is in the other areas of the game. This is why I think he shouldn't have been a 10th overall pick.
- xcheckmajor

what reports are you looking at? the ones that are 2-4 years old? because everything i've read about him from recent reports says his skating has improved to above average for his size, he has ridiculous shutdown potential when he was playing in the AHL, he has a hard shot, and has a decent first pass. a couple sites also said he was easily the rangers most improved prospect over the past 2 seasons.

let the kid play before you call him a bust and a waste. i totally understand the argument that picking him at 10 is a stretch, especially in hindsight with how some players like schwartz and tarasenko are playing now, but i still say give him another year and let him bust out before labeling him a bust.

Hockey Central ‏@SNHockeyCentral 10m
.@JSportsnet says he's hearing Derek Stepan on verge of accepting a bridge deal with Rangers.
- jimbro83

If happens in next two hours, I will post the deal. If not, will have to wait until after Yom Kippur and you guys can handle via comments to this blog.

If happens in next two hours, I will post the deal. If not, will have to wait until after Yom Kippur and you guys can handle via comments to this blog.
- airjan23

that's fine dude

If happens in next two hours, I will post the deal. If not, will have to wait until after Yom Kippur and you guys can handle via comments to this blog.
- airjan23

unacceptable

jk

Hockey Central ‏@SNHockeyCentral 10m
.@JSportsnet says he's hearing Derek Stepan on verge of accepting a bridge deal with Rangers.
- jimbro83

What's strange is that nobody else is reporting he's close.

unacceptable

jk
- rangerdanger94

deal with it

what reports are you looking at? the ones that are 2-4 years old? because everything i've read about him from recent reports says his skating has improved to above average for his size, he has ridiculous shutdown potential when he was playing in the AHL, he has a hard shot, and has a decent first pass. a couple sites also said he was easily the rangers most improved prospect over the past 2 seasons.

let the kid play before you call him a bust and a waste. i totally understand the argument that picking him at 10 is a stretch, especially in hindsight with how some players like schwartz and tarasenko are playing now, but i still say give him another year and let him bust out before labeling him a bust.
- rangerdanger94

This sounds exactly like all the people who were huge supporters (myself included) of Bobby Sanguinetti. Everyone always said this is a huge year for him hes gunna make it eventually and when he does he will be a great serviceable defenseman, and we all know how that ended. The sand in the hour glass is running low for McIlrath

This sounds exactly like all the people who were huge supporters (myself included) of Bobby Sanguinetti. Everyone always said this is a huge year for him hes gunna make it eventually and when he does he will be a great serviceable defenseman, and we all know how that ended. The sand in the hour glass is running low for McIlrath
- WayneY

Let's remember he's only 21. Girardi was 21 playingg the ECHL. If Mcilrath is willing work half as hard as G, he'll make it to the show.

terrible deal

terrible deal
- Crimsoninja

?

?
- mighty13duck

preemptive post

Apparently, Miller left early again today. Better get nice and settled in Hartford kid. I'm really hoping Lindberg gets the callup. Maybe Kristo too.

Apparently, Miller left early again today. Better get nice and settled in Hartford kid. I'm really hoping Lindberg gets the callup. Maybe Kristo too.
- xcheckmajor

Trade him. Reminds me of Nino

Hockey Central ‏@SNHockeyCentral 10m
.@JSportsnet says he's hearing Derek Stepan on verge of accepting a bridge deal with Rangers.
- jimbro83

Where's Brooksie or Leonard, etc on this? Hmmmm. Hope so obviously.

Where's Brooksie or Leonard, etc on this? Hmmmm. Hope so obviously.
- B2B76

or EK